Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé
Still Sparkling after all these Years
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Regular: $19.99 Sale: $16.99 Case: $185.00
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NKOTB, they are not - the Albrecht family has lived in Orschwihr since the end of the 17th century & furthermore, there has been an Albrecht growing wine in the Alsace since 1425. The Pinot Noir for this sparkler comes from Bollenberg, the hill where Celts once venerated the god Belenos – so we’ve got an Irish/French connection here – can’t miss!
I find at family gatherings & holiday parties that everyone loves this little gem. It is a great, tasty value. Sparkling wines are some of the best food wines for the holidays – high in acidity, low in alcohol, and the effervescence deliciously scrubs the palate. |  |
An elegant rosé crémant: lively and balanced with subtle aromas of strawberry and red raspberry fruit which are reinforced in a lush palate. A bit of bracing acidity makes for an invigorating complement to the wine's prominent fruit. Long, lingering, juicy finish.
Food Pairing: Salads, hors d'oeuvres, seared salmon, roast chicken, pork braised in Champagne vinegar, and Asian dishes.
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Wine Specifics
Winery: Lucien Albrecht
VARIETAL: Pinot Noir
REGION: Alsace, France
WINE TYPE: Sparkling
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The Federalist Zinfandel 2008
Making a Federalist Case
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Regular: $23.99 Sale: $19.99 Case: $225.00
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It’s all about the balance of power. Too many red Zinfandel producers totally tip the scale to the tipsy, over-the-top side. Result? Freakish, hollow, spiked prune juice renditions of America’s adopted grape. The Federalist Zin exerts just enough power--balanced power checked by acidity and ripe but not raisined flavors. The Federalist’s estate fruit grows in Dry Creek Valley, a very familiar AVA for the finer Zins raised in Sonoma. That more Zin producers embraced the Federalist’s example…
The image of Alexander Hamilton, famous Federalist, graces the front label. Consider this:
At our SALE price
2 Hamiltons=1 Federalist
*print this out for copy of Federalist Zinfandel paper
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Scents of raspberry, spice, and a hint of bramble arise from the glass with a few good swirls. Immediately, this is cushy, velvety, pleasure-texture wine. Smooth. Black plum and raspberry flavors dominate the front of the flavor wave before an interweaving thread of spice wisps through it. Good weight but not burdensome on the palate. Plush, warmly savory, but it stays within the lines, keeping it lively and long.
Food Pairing: Rib roast, steak, lamb, pork, red-sauce pasta, robust Mediterranean, sausages, ribs, whatever meat you’re still grilling outside.
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Wine Specifics
Winery: The Federalist
VARIETAL: Zinfandel
REGION: Dry Creek Valley, California
WINE TYPE: Red Wine
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Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Grenache 2009
The Best of Times, the Best of Wines
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Regular: $14.99 Sale: $12.99 Case: $144.00
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Fortunately, the winemakers’ family name is Lafage, not Defarge. Instead of knitting, they are making dynamite, dynamic wine in the Roussillon area of southern France. Bordering the Mediterranean coast to the east & the Pyrenees & neighboring Spain to the south, credit Roussillon’s geography for its Catalan culture. Jean-Marc & Eliane Lafage are trained enologists who have worked in California, Australia, So Africa & Chile. Jean-Marc is noted for making some great blends from the traditional grapes of southern France & Spain. He worked with Eric Solomon to bring us the acclaimed Las Rocas from Spain.
Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas is classified as a Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes. It is 100% Grenache & vinified in demi-muids. These barrels (600 liters/160 gallons) - -about double and triple the size of “normal” barrels-- provide a greater ratio of volume to surface area and therefore a gentler oak signature. The use of these large barrels places the focus not on oak but on the fruit and terroir. The results are quite simply awesomely delicious, particularly at this price point. | |
Flashy red color - immediate aromatic intensity of black currant, raspberry and blackberry. The mouth feel is rich, medium to full-bodied, highly concentrated fruit, yet not over the top as it is tempered by an earthy minerality – silky smooth, elegant tannins. Hard to believe it packs a 15% alcohol punch as it is not at all awkward or “hot”.
This is a gorgeous, vivacious wine that way over-delivers. I know of no other red wine at this low of a price that leaves you with such an overwhelming impression of dazzling fruit balanced by a firm, sturdy, underlying structure that perfectly reflects the motto of wines imported by Eric Solomon: “Place not Process”.
Food Pairing: Flank Steak with garlic wine sauce, lamb shanks, mongetes: a rib-sticking Catalan dish of sausage and beans.
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Wine Specifics
Winery: Domaine Lafage
VARIETAL: Grenache
REGION: Languedoc-Roussillon
WINE TYPE: Red Wine
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Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuisse 2010
\POO yee FWEE say\ Easier to drink, perhaps, than to say
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Regular: $19.99 Sale: $15.99 Case: $180.00
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| Louis Latour has quite an extensive history being viticulteurs since the 17th century and Maison de negoce (an import shipping company) since 1797. For over 200 years the business has stayed in the same family with one generation taking over after another. One of the most special wines in the vast Louis Latour portfolio and the one that represents the greatest QPR (quality price ratio) is the Pouilly Fuisse. Based on its unique soil of limestone and heavy clay, Latour’s Pouilly Fuisse is both classic and singular. It has always enjoyed great popularity in the United States. In fact, it was one of the first wines imported after prohibition ended in the 1930’s. Burgundy can have some of the greatest vintage variation of any region, but, when it’s on--it’s on. The 2010 is definitely one of those don’t miss vintages. It could be the best since 2005 or 2002. | |
The nose has ripe fruit of pears, apples, notes of roasted nuts, and a huge array of nuances that will keep you guessing. On the palate the wine shows great minerality and subtle power. The finish is long, complex and keeps you longing for another sip. Truly a wine that can compete with its more expensive neighbors to the north.
Food Pairing: Works great with seafood dishes, especially, fish prepared simply with delicate flavors.
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Wine Specifics
Winery: Louis Latour
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
REGION: Burgundy, France
WINE TYPE: White Wine
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